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New York Firm Recalls Beef Sausage
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WASHINGTON, March 28, 2001–Conti Packing Co. Inc., a Rochester, N.Y., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 7,800 pounds of ready-to-eat beef sausage that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. The product subject to recall is "Conti’s Genesee Valley Brand COOKED BEEF ITALIAN SAUSAGE" in 30 lb. boxes. The boxes each have a date code of "78" and each label bears "EST. 7814" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The beef sausage was produced on March 19, and was distributed to a wholesale establishment in the state of New York. "Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Margaret O’K. Glavin, FSIS acting administrator. "Consumers may wish to ask if their meal contains the recalled products." The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weak immune systems--infants, the frail or elderly, and persons with chronic disease, with HIV infection, or taking chemotherapy. FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact P. Thomas Conti, Treasurer of Conti Packing, at (716) 424-2500. Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. # NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |
LISTERIA PRECAUTIONS People at risk for listeriosis and their family members or individuals preparing food for them should: Reheat until steaming hot the following types of ready-to-eat foods: hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented and dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry products. Thoroughly reheating food can help kill any bacteria that might be present. If you cannot reheat these foods, do not eat them. Wash hands with hot, soapy water after handling these types of ready-to-eat foods. (Wash for at least 20 seconds.) Also wash cutting boards, dishes, and utensils. Thorough washing helps eliminate any bacteria that might get on your hands or other surfaces from food before it is reheated. Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined or Mexican-style cheese. You can eat hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Do not drink raw, unpasteurized milk or eat foods made from it, such as unpasteurized cheese. Observe all expiration dates for perishable items that are precooked or ready-to-eat. |
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